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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Lionel Halperin

In memory of:

Flight Lieutenant William Lionel Halperin

November 6, 1943

Military Service


Service Number:

C/4234

Age:

28

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Additional Information


Born:

October 24, 1915
Toronto, Ontario

Enlistment:

December 18, 1940
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Commemorated on Page 167 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

OTTAWA MEMORIAL
Ontario, Canada

Grave Reference:

Panel 2. Column 3.

Location:

The Ottawa Memorial stands on the north-eastern point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa. Overlooking the northern branch of the Twin Falls of the Rideau River, it commands a panoramic view of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills beyond. The Memorial commemorates those of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives while serving in units operating from bases in Canada, the British West Indies and the United States of America, or while training in Canada and the U.S.A., and who have no known graves. The main feature of the Ottawa Memorial is a sculptured terrestrial globe in bronze, 3 metres in diameter, on a base formed by three bronze beavers rising from the centre of an ornamental pool. The globe, of open lattice-work corresponding to the lines of latitude and longitude, on which the land masses are super imposed in low relief, is crowned by the Air Forces emblem of a bronze eagle with outspread wings. Two curved screen walls faced in limestone, bearing cast bronze panels on which the names appear, face inwards towards the globe. They are placed slightly off centre to allow a clear view through the Ottawa Memorial from the central steps on Sussex Drive and from the wide pathway. Two Air Force crest exist in the paving between the screen walls. A dedicatory inscription, in English on one screen wall and in French on the other, is incised in the stonework between the bronze name panels, which reads as follows:
1939 - 1945
In honoured memory of the men and women of the air forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and neighbouring lands and who have no known grave.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram  1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial– Ottawa Memorial … In honoured memory of the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and in neighbouring lands and seas and who  have no known grave. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Memorial– Flight Lieutenant William Lionel Halperin as commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Ottawa, ON. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Photo of William Lionel Halperin
  • Biography– Entry from Torontonensis, University of Toronto's yearbook, 1936. Halperin graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Victoria College.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star November 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial Plaque– This outdoor plaque is located at the “Old Vic” building, part of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. The decorative motif at the top shows the Victoria University crest, with motto in Latin: “ABEUNT STUDIA IN MORES”. The plaque is inscribed: “THEY WERE VALIANT IN LIFE TRIUMPHANT IN DEATH. ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE STUDENTS OF THIS COLLEGE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1939-1945. THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND DEDICATED OCTOBER 13TH, 1953”. There are 79 names inscribed in bas relief.  Photo:  Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations, University of Toronto.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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